The Oklahoma City Thunder have done a tremendous job, adding the perfect role players to surround their already impressive young core of talent.
After finishing tied for the best record in the Western Conference last year, the Thunder made a solid move to acquire defensive stalwart Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls. Oklahoma City also did well in the draft, adding a promising young guard later in the lottery with Nikola Topic.
They have since reportedly signed former New York Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein, who had a breakout season in 2023-24. Put it all together and all of these moves are sound, financially savvy, and also address the issues that they ran into during the postseason.
BREAKING: Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein plans to sign a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hartenstein departs the Knicks for an enormous contract and gives OKC a new anchor inside. pic.twitter.com/DptmkuaP3v
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024
Other organizations pursued bigger stars and made splashier moves than the Oklahoma City front office did so far this offseason.
But those teams will have to clear their books and consolidate their rosters to make room for their new additions, potentially sacrificing necessary depth in the process.
This team had already re-signed important players such Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, too.
The Thunder still have everyone who played a positive role on their roster but made the right moves around the edges to complement the group that has played so well together. This continuity will keep the chemistry strong as the players continue developing each other.
There were 9 players to record at least 70 total blocks and 70 total steals this past season.
Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso were among that group.
Both are now on the Thunder.
— Matt Williams (@StatsWilliams) July 1, 2024
However, players such as Hartenstein and Caruso will likely increase the overall productivity on both sides of the court as they look to make an even deeper push in the playoffs.
Hartenstein isn’t your traditional star signing that “wins” during free agency. But with his size and skill, he will add a necessary edge as a rebounder and a defender while also profiling with an impressive blend of passing and scoring on offense as well.
Caruso, meanwhile, is one of the bester perimeter defenders in the NBA. He will fit like a glove around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. It is a good time to invest in Oklahoma City’s future.
